Grants Fuel Ed Tech at Connecticut School

A private school in Connecticut is reporting that it's overcome financial hurdles over the last year and given itself a full technology makeover--made possible in large part through some creative approaches to funding.

In the last 12 months, Saint Joseph School in Rockville, CT has upgraded its technology with a new media center, new computer stations in the library, new library listening stations, and multimedia displays in every classroom.

Additional computers were made possible through a grant from Central Connecticut State University. Most other donors weren't named. But according to the school, the upgrades have been made possible through newly developed strategies for pursuing donations, soliciting grants, and tackling financial planning in challenging economic times.

"Raising money and staying current with technology is paramount to future academic success," school administrators said in a prepared statement. "While [Saint] Joseph's is a private school, they also have the same financial pressure as public schools. When the economy is down, enrollment typically declines, and private schools need to find different means for revenue. Through strategic methods of grant writing, donation submitting, and financial planning, [Saint Joseph] School has made leaps from where they were even two years ago."

Among other things, the school is using technology to help support differentiated instruction and is adopting new curriculum and ongoing assessments to further those efforts.

Principal Kathy Peck explained in a statement released this week: "We have the good fortune to be able to personalize our curriculum for every student. We monitor student progress through multiple assessments. Small classes allow us to know students individually, and this allows students many opportunities to demonstrate their learning. These results provide us the information we need to individualize students' learning plans and adapt our instructional strategies to better meet the students' needs."

Technology and curriculum weren't the only enhancements the school has received in the last 12 months. New math and reading textbooks for students in all grades came by way of donation; the library received new carpeting; and, through a U Connecticut Air Force ROTC donation, the school has also received new playground equipment.

David Nagel is edtorial director, education for 1105 Media's Public Sector Media Group. A 22-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art and business publications.

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